There’s a distinct charm in antique browsing and buying in a building that is itself an antique. Built in 1926, the neo-classical revival-style American Trust Company building, now Vintage Bank Antiques, dates to the time when banks were the most important buildings in town – and looked the part. It occupies one of the most prestigious corners in town, Main Street (as Petaluma Boulevard was then known) and Western Avenue. In earlier days, this side of Main Street was the… Read More »

For 38 years, the self-proclaimed Biggest Little Parade in Northern California has happily taken over beautiful downtown Penngrove for the first weekend in July. This year is the big 3-9 for the parade, and locals and visitors alike can’t wait to get the annual good times rolling. Kim Hanson, owner of Penngrove’s friendly JavAmore Café, is the point person for this year’s event. True to tradition, Parade No. 39 will have no entry fees and no theme. And, if you’re… Read More »

Bells are ringing – well, one bell in particular – on the Fourth of July. The annual ringing of the historic Putnam-Korbel bell takes place starting at 10:30 on the steps of the Petaluma Historical Museum and Library at Fourth and B streets. Local historians Marshall West and Bill Hammerman will dress in their historic best – top hats and frock coats – to officiate. The ceremony includes President John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s 1963 bell-ringing proclamation, the story of the historic… Read More »

Tap your feet and wiggle your toes at For Art’s Sake, an afternoon of art, music, games, dancing and food benefiting the Petaluma Arts Center. The event runs from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at Beaumont Farms, 5580 Red Hill Road. Tickets are $30 and available at the PAC, 230 Lakeville St., 762-5600 or petalumaartscenter.org. A weekend weaving workshop takes place 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 28-29 at the Petaluma weaving studio of instructor Marta Shannon. Students will wind a warp,… Read More »

The third annual Kickoff Classic is set for 5-8 p.m. Monday, June 23 at Lagunitas Brewing Company. The event raises money for Tomales High School’s football program and, this year, honors gridiron greats Gary Cheda, Ron Petroni, Andy Bordessa Jr., Joe Lopes, Darren Evans, Chris Ludlow and Kevin Ballatore. Tickets are $25-$30 and include dinner. The evening includes a raffle and music. Lagunitas is at 1280 N. McDowell Blvd. For details or tickets, call Leon Feliciano, 575-3520 or Joe Moreda,… Read More »

About This Blog

Katie Watts is the Petaluma Towns correspondent for the Press Democrat. You can reach her at petalumatowns@gmail.com. She has been a features writer and editor with the Petaluma Argus-Courier, author of history column “Yesteryears,” and calendar editor and features writer for the Marin Independent Journal.